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Happy Hooligans

The North Dakota Air National Guard began on January 16, 1947. The first Air Guard squadron organized in North Dakota was the 178th Fighter Squadron in Fargo. The first meetings were held in the Army National Guard Armory in downtown Fargo but the Squadron moved to Hector Airport by the end of the year.

Duane Larson was the squadron commander during the 1950's and was nicknamed "Pappy" because he was the senior fighter pilot. There was a cartoon at the time called "Pappy Easter and his Happy Hooligans" and the squadron started calling themselves Pappy Larson and his Happy Hooligans. The squadron has been called the Happy Hooligans ever since.

The photograph above shows both a NDANG F16 Fighting Falcon flying with a World War II P-51 Mustang.

The Squadron has served with honor in conflicts around the world, including Korea and the recent war against terrorism.